Systems, devices, and methods for printing on surfaces of three-dimensional objects are provided. The systems, devices, and methods allow for images, and three-dimensional structures, to be printed onto a surface of a three-dimensional object. The surface of the three-dimensional object can have many different shapes, including an arbitrary or non-uniform shape having multiple curves. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes associating a pattern of polygons with a surface of a three-dimensional object and then scaling a pattern of polygons associated with an image to be printed onto the surface with the pattern of polygons associated with the surface. One or more polygons of the scaled pattern of polygons are then progressively projected onto the surface, and a photosensitive material associated with the surface is cured to set projected image portion on the surface. Systems, devices, and other methods for printing onto surfaces of three-dimensional objects are also provided.

The present disclosure provides a method for producing an image on a substrate. The method includes providing a single beam of light to a multiple DMD assembly, splitting the single beam of light into an s-polarization beam and a p-polarization beam, and reflecting the s-polarization beam and the p-polarization beam through the multiple DMD assembly such that the multiple DMD assembly produces a plurality of superimposed images on the substrate.

An apparatus for back-exposing a printing plate and method for exposing a printing plate therewith. Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are arranged in one or more arrays, including at least two sets of LEDs, each set having an emission spectrum different than a corresponding emission spectrum of at least one other set. One or more controllers connected to the LED array is configured to activate the array to cause the plurality of sets of LEDs to emit radiation toward the back, non-printing side of the printing plate simultaneously. Performing the method includes providing the one or more arrays spaced a pre-defined distance from the printing plate and irradiating the back, non-printing side of the printing plate with the emission spectra of the at least two sets of LEDs simultaneously.

Systems, devices, and methods for printing on surfaces of three-dimensional objects are provided. The systems, devices, and methods allow for images, and three-dimensional structures, to be printed onto a surface of a three-dimensional object. The surface of the three-dimensional object can have many different shapes, including an arbitrary or non-uniform shape having multiple curves. In one exemplary embodiment, the method includes associating a pattern of polygons with a surface of a three-dimensional object and then scaling a pattern of polygons associated with an image to be printed onto the surface with the pattern of polygons associated with the surface. One or more polygons of the scaled pattern of polygons are then progressively projected onto the surface, and a photosensitive material associated with the surface is cured to set projected image portion on the surface. Systems, devices, and other methods for printing onto surfaces of three-dimensional objects are also provided.

A maskless photolithoghrapic system includes a laser point-by-point scanning exposure unit, a plane-projection exposure unit, a mobile station and a calculation control unit that decomposes a pattern to be exposed, so that a pattern portion with a precision requirement below a pre-determined threshold is exposed by the laser point-by-point scanning exposure unit, and a pattern portion with a precision requirement greater than the pre-determined threshold is exposed by the plane-projection exposure unit; when conducting laser point-by-point scanning exposure on a sample on the mobile station, the light emitted by the laser point-by-point scanning exposure unit moves relative to the sample according to the pattern portion with a precision requirement below the pre-determined threshold; and when conducting plane-projection exposure on the sample, the plane-projection exposure unit emits light with a corresponding pattern shape onto the sample according to the graph with a precision requirement greater than the pre-determined threshold.

A digital lithography system may adjust a wavelength of the light source to compensate for tilt errors in micromirrors while maintaining a perpendicular direction for the reflected light. Adjacent pixels may have a phase shift that is determined by an optical path difference between their respective light beams. This phase shift may be preselected to be any value by generating a corresponding wavelength at the light source based on the optical path difference. To generate a specific wavelength corresponding to the desired phase shift, the light source may produce multiple light components that have wavelengths that bracket the wavelength of the selected phase shift. The intensities of these components may then be controlled individually to produce an effect that approximates the selected phase shift on the substrate.

A position adjusting unit according to some example embodiments includes a base; a mounting part, a driving unit, and a locking part on the base. The mounting part may be movably installed on the base and configured to have an optical element mounted thereto. The driving unit may include a plurality of actuators connected between the base and the mounting part. The driving unit may be configured to move the mounting part with respect to the base. The locking part may be configured to provide a fixing force for fixing a position of the mounting part. The locking part may be configured to release the fixing force when electricity is supplied to the locking part.

A method of manufacturing a holographic pattern-expressing organogel, by using a dithering mask, according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes: preparing a dithering mask including white pixels and black pixels arranged in periodic patterns; photocuring a polymer by passing an ultraviolet ray through the dithering mask; passing a first solvent through the cured polymer; and passing a second solvent through the cured polymer through which the first solvent is passed.

A method of fabricating an optical connection to at least one planar optical waveguide integrated on a planar integrated circuit (PIC) uses a machine vision system or the like to detect one or more positions at which one or more optical connections are to be made to at least one planar optical waveguide located on the PIC. A spatial light modulator (SLM) is used as a programmable photolithographic mask through which the optical connections are written in a volume of photosensitive material using a photolithographic process. The SLM is programmed to expose the photosensitive material to an illumination pattern that defines the optical connections. The programming is based at least in part on the positions that have been detected by the vision system. The optical connections are printed by exposing the photosensitive material to illumination that is modulated by the pattern with which the SLM is programmed.

This application relates to lithographic printing plates, methods of making said plates, and precursor plates for use in said methods.